The
aim of the Village Design Statement is to define the
local character of the village and, in so doing, provide guidelines,
not only
for building developers, but also for home improvements.These guidelines enable
the village’s
character to be maintained for the benefit of us all.Adopted by Mendip Council as supplementary planning
guidance in December 1998, the
Design Statement’s recommendations will also be taken into
account when local
planning applications are assessed.

Summary of Guidelines

New
development should include indigenous mature planting and landscaping.

Developments
should not diminish the important focus provided by the farms which are
central to the village.

It
is essential that the linear pattern of the village is maintained.
Development must not detract from existing rural views and the
architectural integrity of Leigh Street.

Established
footpaths must be maintained and protected.

The
current voluntary ban on quarry traffic from the village makes a
valuable contribution to the quality of life in Leigh and should be
maintained and encouraged.

Off
street parking for future developments is to be encouraged, although
built-in garages are not a local feature.

Developers
and utility companies should conceal future installations underground.
Domestic meter boxes should also be hidden.

The
traditional postboxes and early red telephone box are attractive
features and should be retained.

Signposts
and street names should be in keeping with existing street furniture.
Road safety signs should be of modest and unobtrusive design.

Future
development should not detract from the magnificence of the church nor
obstruct views of it.

Local
natural stone should be used for boundary walls.

Existing
building lines should not be altered without consideration of the
resulting visual effect.

A
typical building style of new developments should be of rural design,
two storey, rubble stone faced, and have a steeply pitched roof of
double roman or plain terracotta tiles. Artificial or reconstituted
stone should not be used.

The
size, style and materials used for doors and windows should match those
of the original bui1ding and/or adjacent buildings, thus retaining the
1ocal characteristics of the particular site.

New
buildings at least shou1d be pointed with cream-coloured and lime-rich
mortars. Residents are encouraged to consider 1ime when repointing and
rebuilding older buildings.

Developers
and residents are encouraged to consider the “local
palette” of colours when painting woodwork, walls and render
and to consider paint in favour of exterior woodstains.(Please refer to a published copy of the Village
Design Statement for the colours of the “local
palette”.)